A Circle of Elephants by Eric Dinerstein

Abstract

Reviewed by: A Circle of Elephants by Eric Dinerstein Deborah Stevenson, Editor Dinerstein, Eric A Circle of Elephants; illus. by B. Kwan. Disney Hyperion, 2019 [288p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-4-368-01658-2 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-368-04694-7 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 6-9 This follow-up to What Elephants Know (BCCB 5/16) returns to late twentieth century Nepal, where elephant rider Nandu is now thirteen. It’s a worrying time in the borderlands, as emboldened poachers are preying on animals (a venerable and beloved rhino is the first victim), and the absence of a monsoon brings a drought that increases the stress for all the area’s residents. To make matters worse, members of the dangerous gang Nandu and his friends encountered in the previous book remain at large, and they’re still posing a threat. Dinerstein again vividly recreates the borderlands country of Nepal, and his wildlife biologist training shines through in his detailed depiction of the natural world and Nandu’s increasing concern for it in the face of threat. The plot is less successful, however, with a lot of small subplots (including one about girls rescued from human trafficking) drawing attention and then getting abruptly pushed aside; the climax has the improbability and speedy glory of old-school adventure novels, a sensibility that jars with the thoughtful treatment of the unusual locale. The way of life of the children at His Majesty’s Elephant Breeding Center will nonetheless still amaze and beguile readers, and [End Page 203] they may come away with a more visceral understanding of the costs of poaching. Delicate gray-scale art of the wild world introduces each section; a glossary and an author’s note (explaining that Nepal has subsequently become a leader in the protection of wildlife) are included. Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois